Saturday, January 7, 2012

2 More Runs to Add

Not too shabby,

I have to admit, this running thing is getting a little easier.  Another admission - I ran again on 1/5, which was the day after 1/4.  I honestly can't tell you the last time I ran on back to back days.  Kind of embarrassing, but it's true. Whew, off my chest.

I had a good conversation about running/training with Erin.  Basically, in conversation with HER sister Meredith (not mine), and brother-in-law Stephen, they were talking about a new heart-rate training strategy that they were working with.  Basically, you run, but never get your heart rate above a certain level.  If you hit it, you slow down until it's under control.  It's supposed to help you in the long run, and lower your race times.  As your endurance improves, you can do more with that lower rate.  Seems simple enough, and might be something I have to consider going forward.  I'm guilty of doing training runs in the upper 160's, and races in the low to mid 180's.  Not exactly practical for a marathon.  I need to order my dang chest strap already!

Okay, on to the run:


Not exactly an exciting run, but worth noting that it was the day after my first run of the new year.  I didn't feel any pain in my foot either.  I consider that a win.  It was an exceptionally nice day, and I was just glad to get something in.

Today, Erin and I went on a "longer" run.  I'm sure I'll look back and laugh about 7 miles being a long run, but it was a good warm up to full marathon training.  Here's the course we took today:



I think you can click on these maps to get a better view.  Basically, we set off to run a nice, pleasant 6 mile jog (or yog, with a soft j).  Things are never that simple when Erin gets involved though.  We did take a nice pace the whole way, as you can see (I found my watch!).  We did stop for the occasional stretch/clothes shedding, but it was definitely easy going.  There are a few big hills on 51st street around the 3 and 4 mile markers, but other than that it's fairly rolling/tame.

If you're starting to wonder why we always run to the North and West, it's mostly because of where we live in relation to traffic and hills.  To the South, it starts to get busy around Shawnee Mission Parkway, a major 6 lane traffic-way, and I-35 borders us about a half mile to the east.  There are other residential areas to the East of 35, but the do take a little time (and hills) to get to.  I'm sure we'll get there before this is all over though.  There is also an excellent, flat trail system that parallels I-35 on the west side.  We will be logging some serious miles on that route as the Winter-Spring progresses.  It's not well lit though, so it's less practical for winter running hours.

To these points, look for future runs to take us MUCH further North and West of our current running playground as well as further South (and maybe East).  We will branch out. It's also worth noting that North of 51st Street, the elevation starts dropping down to the Kansas River (about another mile or so North).  In the process, a good 250-300 feet of elevation loss occurs.  Therefore, for quicker/shorter runs, those committing routes are less practical.

All in all, it was a great run tonight - low 40's temps, and no concern with asthma.  Now it's time to sit back, eat some dinner, and watch a movie.  That, and take some pills for my knees.  Yowza!  Tomorrow is cross-training (soccer).

Peace out,   D

Running Total:
January: 15.51
2012:  15.51

No comments:

Post a Comment